“It was incredible. It’s a privilege to be here watching it,” said Prior, who is part of talkSPORT2’s commentary team in Sri Lanka.

“Sure, getting a debut hundred is phenomenal but in this innings in particular, to walk out at 103 for five and play in foreign conditions, with all the challenges that come with that, is just a huge, huge effort.

“Having spoken to him this morning he seems a very composed character. He isn’t going to be one of those that gets too high or too low, which bodes well for, fingers crossed, a long international career.